Strip feeding means with compensator for strips of varying width



- L. ROSEMAN STRIP FEEDING MEANS WITH COMPENSATOR FOR June 24, 1958 2,840,374

STRIPS OF VABYING WIDTH Filed Jan. 51, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 53 LED ROSEMAN BY +24; M

ATTORNEY June 24, 1958 2,840,374

L. ROSEMAN STRIP FEEDING MEANS WITH COMPENSATOR FOR STRIPS OF VARYING WIDTH Filed Jan. 51, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 2 .1. Wig/T INVENTOR. LEO ROS E MA N .5.- I BY M 7 June 24, .1958

L. RosEMAN STRIP FEEDING MEANS WITH COMPENSATOR FOR STRIPS OF VARYING WIDTH Filed Jan. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 VBVTTTI" fiqT T TJEI.@. TEETQA 56 LX 76 LX 36 LX 36 J/X 36 LX 36 I 56 1 I r 1 56 .56 35 56 1 1 1 1 1 16 1 Ti lu. TiqlUA. fjc ll. TiqQIJA. TJ'EIJE. TjEl-1EA- v INVENTOR.

LEO ROSEMAN ATTORN EY United States Patent 'STRIP FEEDING MEANS -WITH COMPENSATOR 'FQR STRIPS F VARYING WIDTH Leo Roseman, Newark, N. J.

Application January 31, 1956, Serial No. 562,409

14 Claims. (Cl. 271-55) This invention relates particularly .to a machine for sewing a plurality of short elastic straps between longitudinal flaps of a long continuous strip of material in .spaced relation longitudinally of said long strip, and more particularly the invention is directedto a machine for stitching onto a continuous strip .of fastener tape having fastener elements spaced longitudinally thereof, a plurality of elastic straps each in substantial alignment with .one .or a series of the fastener elements or the like. .Machines .of the same general type are described and claimed in my Patent No. 2,695,578.

;In .atmachine-of this character .it is essential that each elastic strap be fed into accurate .alignment .with its cor- :responding fastener elements or the like .on the con- .tinuous strip, and this constitutes .a problem, particularly with .elastic straps as they .are presently made. It is well known that elastic straps or tapes are manufactured in pieces many yards ,in length and are rolled on spools .orrreelsfor use by, for example, .garmentma-nufacturers yvhocut the elastic strip .into a plurality of shorterpieces fornse in garments such as. brassieres. The ,longelastic strip slightly yaries in width at different zones .of its length due to manufacturing difficulties, and sometimes different rolls .of elastic strips that are sold as of .the ssamewidth, actually slightly vary in width. .Moreover, .the longitudinal edges of the .long strips are sometimes slightly curved. a V In machines of the type contemplated by ,the invention, it is essential that the .short pieces of :the elastic strip ,be accurately fed into ,a .position in alignment with their respective fastener elements :01 the like, and this constitutes a difiicult problem, especially with elastic strips .of varying widthas described. Therefore, a ,prime object-of the invention is to provide novel and improved means to feed and .guide the short elastic straps into ,proper relation to their fastener elements or thelike and .to compensate for slight variations in the width of successive straps as well as .to compensate for slight curvature .of the longitudinal edges ,of the straps.

Another object is to provide a'compensatingmechanism of the general character described which shall :move and hold successively .fed straps with their longitudinal .median lines in a common straight ,path, that ;is, with the longitudinal median line .of each strap in endwise alignment with the .next preceding strap. i

vA furtherobject is .to provide a .novel .and'improved combination of such .a compensating mechanism, :means for feeding .the elastic straps longitudinally and means .fonmoying the long continuous .strip or 'fastenerttape longitudinally in a .direction at an angle to .the direction of movement of .the straps, all .in timed relationto each other so that'veach strap shall be positioned accurately inlalignment with its corresponding fastener elements von 'theiastener .tape or the like. i (Other objects, advantages .and results .of .the invention will be brought "out by the following tdescriptionin -conjunc'tlon with the accompanying drawings in which--- Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a machine embodying the invention with portions broken awayfor crank in the pawl-driving position;

-.Figure 2B is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 2E-2E of Figure l;

a Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view approximately on the plane of the line .3-3 of Figure .1;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view ap-- proximately on the plane of .the 'lineI7-'7 of'Figure '6; Figure '8 is a fragmentary plan view of a piece of fastener tape having a plurality of elastic straps of varying Widths attached thereto;

Figure 9'is a diagrammatic view of the strap guide plates of the compensating mechanism in theirnormal'position to receive a strap;

Figure 9A is a similar view showing the guide plates in guiding relation to the strap;

Figure 10 is a view 'similarto Figure'9 showing 'a strap tied into an out-o'f-lineor improper position betweenthe compensator plates;

Figure 10A is a similar view showing thestrapstrai'ghb .ened or aligned into its proper position;

Figure 11 .is similar to Figure '10 and shows a strap in another improper or laterally displaced position; t

Figure 11A shows the compensator plates properly positioning the strap shown in Figure '11;

.Figure 12 is like Figure 9 but-shows a strap of 'greater width; and

Figure 12A shows the compensator plates in guiding relation to the strap shown in Figure 12.

For the purpose of illustrating the principles of -the invention, I have shown the invention embodied ina machine for-inserting elastic short straps 1 between lower and upper flaps 2 and 2a of a main continuous strip of fabric A which has a plurality' of fastener elements 3 in the form of wire-eyes stitched thereon to form a fastener tape. In the present instance, the eyes are'ar ranged -in groups or series each comprising two eyes spaced apart 'IOHgltIZlGlIIElHY Qf the strip a .distance'less than the width of the strap '1 that 'is to be insertedvbetween said flaps, "adjacent "series of eyes 'being spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the distance of spacingvof the eyes of each series. M Generally the straps 1 will be sewed onto the main strip A in spaced relation longitudinally thereof by a line of stitches B,'with each ,strap'in alignment or opposite one series of the fastener elements 3 as best shown in Figure l, or as shown for examplein my above mentioned Patent No. 2,695,,57 8. t

fThe main .strip' is moved longitudinally .andfihorizontally over a suitable bed plate C by mechanism that will stop the feeding movement of the strip at predeter- -mined intervals, and the straps 1 are fed and inserted between the flaps of the main strip in proper ahgnment with their respective series of fastener elements while tlie mo'vement *of the -rnain strip is interrupted The straps: 1 as they are severed from, for example, along roll of elastic "material are so adjusted and guided that 'their leading ends will be accurately disposed in proper *alignment with their" respective series of eyes when said ends of the straps enter between the flaps of the main 2,695,578, but inasmuch as such described in my United States Patents Nos. 1,742,221 and 1,801,570. This means is shown as comprising a feed roll 5 journaled in suitable bearings 6 beneath the bed plate C, and anupper feed roll 7 journaled on a bearing block 8 above said bed plate and normally influenced T toward the roll 5 by a compression spring 9. The two :roller's grip the {main strip A between them and one of the rollers, in the present instance the roller 5, is connected tosuitable apparatus for rotating the rollers intermittently for movinga series of the fastener elements 3 in succession to a predetermined point, for example a strap inserting station, during each step of movement in timed relationyfor example to a stitching-forming mechanism. If desired a presser foot and feeddog in connection with control means therefor, as shown in my Patent No. 2,695,578, could be used in place of the rolls 5 and 7. Means like that shown in my Patent No. 1,801,570 has been sh'ownto pull the strip from a supply and to positively stop the main strip at the proper point,

although apparatus such as, shown in my aforesaid Pat-.

ent No. 2,695,578 might be used to stop the strip. As

shown here, a roll 10 is journaled on a bracketll depending from the bedplate C, with which cooperates another roll 12 journaled on an arm 13 which is pivotally main strip Abe'tween them and are normally pressed togethertby a spring 14. The roll 10 is positively driven through gearing 15 from the same source of power and in, timed relation to the driving means for the roll 5 and the rolls 11 and 12 are geared together at 15a. Mounted .on another bracketl6 depending from the bed plate, is

'a. stop bar 17 provided at. one end with a stop finger 18 a 1 adapted to conform to the sides of the eyes 30f the fastener tape, and means is provided for automatically actuating .the stop bar so that its finger 18 is projected into and withdrawn from the path of movement of the eyes of the tape in timed relation to the interruption of the movement of the tape by the rolls 5, 7. As shown; a cam 19 is mounted on a shaft 20'which may have the same. driving, source-as the rolls 5, 7, and the cam coacts with t a follower roller 2l onthe end of the stop bar 17 opposite the finger 18, the stopbar being normally biased .by a spring 22to, move the finger 18 into the path of movement of the eyes 3 andthebar being actuated by the cam .19 out of said path of movement of the eyes. When an.

eye is engaged by the finger is, feeding movement of the main, strip positively interrupted, which is old in the art. i i i As shown in the drawings, movement of the main ,striplA is always interrupted with a series of elements 3 disposed at a strap inserting point or station E (Figure 1),. and, suitable feedingfmechanism. moves one, of the .connected to the bracket 11. Thesetwo rolls grip the straps 1 throughysaid station so, asfto insert the leading end of the strap between the flaps of the main strip A.

As. shown, the strap feeding means comprises a dog 23 I 'fiscdly connect a to ashorhshaft 24 whi ch "is journaled in a block 25 and has a short crank arm 26 carrying a 7 pin 27 which is movable in a notch 28 in the upper end of a carrier 29 which has. two spaced parallel arms 30 that are slidable horizontally on guide rods 31 mounted on the bed plate C. The block 25 is also slidable on the rods 31 between the arms 30, there being lost motion between said arms and said block so that the dog 3 is caused to dig into a strap 1 upon movement of the car rier, crank arm 23 and the dog in one direction, that is, to the right of Figure 2 and as shown in Figures 7 and 2D, and to swing the dog clear of the strap upon movement of the carrier 29 and the crank arm in the opposite direction as indicated in Figure 2C. In this way the elastic strap 1 is fed step by step. The carrier is shown as driven by a link 32 one end of which is connected to the carrier while the other end is connected to a wrist pin 33 connecting crank disks 34 which are mounted on and driven by the shaft 20. In the present instance the shaft 20 is shown in two sections 20a and 20b each of which is journaled in suitable bearings not shown and each of which has one of the crank disks 34 connected thereto; The straps 1 are slid in succession on a guide plate 35 in any suitable way. Preferably there will he means for severing the straps from a roll of elastic material and dropping the severed straps in succession on the guide plate 35 where they are engaged by the dog 23 which will engage and push each strap toward the main strip A each time it moves in the direction toward the main strip.

An important feature of my invention is a compensating 'means or compensator for positively lining up the straps :1 with the strap inserting station B so that each strap will be accurately presented to the main strip A in accurate alignment with its respective series of fastener elements 3, even when the strapsvary in width or become laterally dislocated or oblique to the direction of feeding movement or have slightly curved edges. This compensator F comprises two opposed parallel compensator plates 36 that-are slidably mounted on a base plate 37 to move toward and from each other. One compensator plate is rigidly connected to any actuating bar 38 while the other compensator plate is connected to an actuating bar 39.

These bars are slidably mounted in side by side relation in a'groove 40 in the base plate 37, and pinion 41 is journaled on said base plate between said actuating bars andsmeshes with rack 42 and 43 on the respective actuat- ,may be driven by the same source of power, and in timed relation to the rolls 5, 7. The other actuating bar 38 is normally influenced in one direction by a tension spring 50. It will thus be seen, with reference to Figures 4 and ;5, that when the lever 44 is swung in one direction by the cam'47, the bar 39 will be slid to the'left of Figure 4, and due to the pinion and rack connection of the bars,

"the other bar will be slid to the right in Figure 4 so as -to movethe compensator plates apart from the heavy broken line position of Figure 4 to the heavy broken line position of Figure 5, while when the cam 47 moves out of engagement with the shoe 46, the spring 50 will slide the bars in opposite directions as shown in Figure 4 to move the compensator platestoward each other or closer together. The compensator plates are moved at the same speed toward and from each other.

Normally the. compensator plates are spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the straps and are disposed, at opposite sides ofthe guide plate 35 equidistantly from a point Xbetween them in the center line of the normal path of movement of the straps as shown in Figure S and diagrammatically in Figure 9. Then one of the straps 1 is slid between the ,compensators by the feed .dog 23, as shown in Figures'l and "9. Should the strap be laterally displaced from the normal ,path of movement as indicated by the arrowsin Figure 9, when the compensator plates are .moved together, one thereof will engage the strap before the other and slide the strap to its proper central position with respect \to the 1 path of movement, and then the other compensator plate will engage the opposite longitudinal edge .of the strap as shown in Figure 9A. After the strap has been properly positioned and the feed dog is in position to feed vthe strap, the compensator plates are moved apart again to permit the strap to be fed to the main strip and allow the next strap to be slid between the compensator plates. If the strap should be obliquely disposed to the path of movement, it will alsobe properly aligned as shown in Figures Y10 and IDA. Figure 11 shows the strap laterally displaced agreater distance than'in Figure 9 whileFigure llA shows the strap properly centered. Figure 12 shows the operation of the compensator with a strap much wider than the straps shown in Figures 9-l'l inclusive. It might be pointed out here that the movement of the compensator plates toward each other under theinfluence of the spring 50 is stopped by the edges of the strap, the plates thus moving closer together for narrower straps and being held farther apart .by wider straps. ;In:a1l cases .the compensator plates will remain .equidistantly spaced from opposite sides of the center line of movement of the straps which is indicated by the arrows in Figures 4 and 5, and the tension of the spring will be regulated so that it does not flex the straps.

For the purpose of holding flat the edge portions of the straps as the straps enter between the compensator plates, a cover 51 is provided. This cover is shown as U-shaped in plan view with its base portion fastened to one end of a lever 52 which is pivotally mounted at 53 on a bracket on the bed plate C and urged by a spring 57 to move the cover toward the guide plate 35, and has a follower roller 54 at its other end engaging a cam 55 on the shaft 2%. The arms 56 of the cover straddle the feed dog23 and are disposed above the edges of the elastic strap as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7, and the cover is actuated in timed relation to the movement of the compensator plates so that the cover is pressed downwardly by the spring 57 and lightly against the strap to flatten the strap edges if they are curled when the compensator plates move toward each other and so that the cover is elevated by the cam clear of the strap for feeding of the latter when the compensator plates are moved apart to receive another strap between them.

It will also be observed that the compensator plates will also align straps whose longitudinal edges are slightly curved.

While the now preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention, it will be under- '2. The combination as defined in claim 1 with the addition .of yielding means for moving said plates toward each other, and means 'formovin'g said plates away from each other.

3.The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the last-named means includes a base, a pair of elongate actuator .ba-rs longitudinally movable in .side-by-side relation on'said base plate, one of said plates being rigidly connected to each of said actuator barswith theirplane's perpendicul-arto the direction of movement of said actuator bars, and means connecting said bars for simulitane'ous movement at the same speed.

4. The combination as defined in claim '3 with the addition of yielding means .for moving one of said 'bars in the direction to cause movement of said plates toward each other into yielding contact with the longitudinal edges of a .strap between .said plates, and means for moving the other actuating "bar in the opposite direction.

5. The .combinationas defined in claim .3 with the addition of yielding means 'for moving one of said bars "in the direction to cause movement of said plates toward each other into yielding contact 'with the longitudinal edges of -a strap between-said plates, and means for moving-the other actuating bar in the opposite direction, said yielding means including a tension spring having its ends connected respectively to said bar and .tosaid bed, and the last-named means including a movable cam and a cam lever pivoted intermediate its ends which engage respectively the corresponding actuating bar and said cam.

6. The combination of a bed plate and means for alternately moving longitudinally in a predetermined path along said bed plate an elongate strip of material having elements spaced longitudinally thereof and stopping'said strip to present said elements successively at a predetermined point at one side of said path of movestood that many modifications and changes can be made i in the construction of the apparatus embodying the invention and that the invention maybe utilized in other types of machines, all within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. The combination of a bed, means on said bed for feeding elongate straps longitudinally and horizontally in succession in a straight path, a pair of elongate vertical plates normally spaced equidistantly from and parallel to the center line of said straight path of movement of said straps with the space between said plates greater than the width of said straps, and means mounting said plates on said bed to move at the same speed toward said center line to engage the longitudinal edges of a strap that is between the plates and laterally move the strap to align the center line of said strap with said center line of said path of movement.

ment, means operative in timed relation to the first mentioned means to feed elongate straps longitudinally along said bed along a normal path and center line'of which passes through said predetermined point in timed relation to the movement of said elongate strip and to position the leading end of each strap in overlapping relation to a portion of said elongate strip while said strip is stopped, a pair of elongate vertical plates normally spaced equidistantly from and parallel to the center line of the normal path of movement of said straps with the space between said plates greater than the width of said straps, and means mounting said plates on said bed to move at the same speed toward said center line to engage the longitudinal edges of a strap that is between the plates and laterally move the strap to align the center line of said strap with said center line of said path of movement and with said element that is disposed at said predetermined point.

7. The combination of a bed plate and means for alternately, moving longitudinal-1y in a predetermined path along said bed plate an elongate strip of material having elements spaced longitudinally thereof and stopping said strip to present said elements successively into juxtaposition to a predetermined point at one side of said path of movement, means operative in timed relation to the first named means to feed elongate straps in succession longitudinally along said bed in a normal path the center line of which passes through said predetermined point in timed relation to the movement of said elongate strip to posi-' tion the leading end of each strap in overlapping relation to a portion of said elongate strip while said elongate strip is stopped, and meansto momentarily engage and laterally move said straps for aligning the center line of each strap with said center line of said path of movement and with said element on-said elongate strip that is disposed at said predetermined point. v

8. The combination as defined in claim 6 with the addition of yielding means for moving said plates toward each other 'and means for moving said plates away from each other;

I 9 The combination in cl'aim 6 .whe'r'ein the lasflnamed means includes a base', a pairof elongate actuatorbars longitudinally movable in side-by-side relation onIsa'id base-plate, one of. said, plates'being rigidly connected toeach of'sa'id actuator bars withftheir plane's perpendicu-lar to the direction of movement of said actuator bar s,and meansconnectin'g said bar's-for simultaneous movementfat the samespeed..- i

10.The combinationas defined inclaim 9 with the addition of yielding means for moving one of said bars in the direction to cause movement of said plates toward each other into .yielding contact with the longitudinal edges of astrap between said plates, and means for moving'the otheractuating bar intheopposite direction.

'11. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the last-named means includes a pair of actuator members one of said plates being connected to each of said actuator members, and means connecting saidactuator members for simultaneous movement in opposite directions at ithesamespeed. v l

l 12. The combination asdefined in claim 11 with the addition of yielding means for moving said actuator members in one direction to move said plates toward each other, and means for moving said actuator members in the other direction to move said plates apart.

8 13. The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein the last named means includes a pair of actuator members each having one of said plates connected thereto, means 'connectingsaid actuatormembers for simultaneous movement in opposite directions atthe same speed, yielding means for m'oving'said actuator members in one direction to'move said plates toward each other, and means for moving said actuator members in the opposite direction to move said plates apart. 1

14."Ihe combination of a bed plate andmeans for movingl'ongitudinally along said bed plate an elongate strip of material into juxtaposition to and past a predeter :mined point, means to feed elongate straps in succession longitudinally along said bed in-timed relation to the movement of said elongate strip and in a normal path the center line. of which'passes through said predetermined point at an angle to said elongate strip so as to bring the leading end of each strap into a position to be joined to a portion of said elongate strip, and means to momentarily engage and laterally move said straps for aligning the center line of each strap with said center line of said nor? 'mal path of movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ogden [July 10, 1951 Watrous Aug. 21, 1951 

